Panetta Warns Conflict Between Syria and Turkey May Produce Regional War

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Saturday that the conflict on the border between Syria and Turkey may spread to neighboring countries and create a regional war.

Turkey continued shelling of Syrian targets on Sunday in what Al Arabiya describes as immediate retaliation after a mortar round allegedly fired from Syria hit the southeastern Turkish border village of Akcakale where five civilians were killed last week.

Akcakale is a key supply route for the CIA’s Free Syria Army and other so-called rebels.

On Wednesday, the New York Times conceded that “was unknown whether the mortar shells were fired by Syrian government forces or rebels fighting to topple the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The Turkish response seemed to assume that the Syrian government was responsible,” despite conclusive evidence.